After the 35-year-old estimator finishes his day at work, he’s off to teach taekwondo classes in the Bowness area, something he and a group of friends started 18 years ago.

“I don’t get home until 9 o’clock at night,” says Bolante, who has owned a 1,625-square-foot single-family home in an older northeast Calgary neighbourhood for the past 10 years.

After such long days, committing time and effort to the upkeep of the exterior of the home isn’t always easy.

“Sometimes I don’t have time to mow the lawn or shovel the snow and I was looking for something that was easier to maintain,” he says.

So he decided it was time for a change. Bolante’s focus turned to multi-family development, where condo fees cover the outdoor upkeep that can sometimes be tricky to fit in.

He also wanted a new area with plans for a modern and well-rounded set of amenities.

He bought at the Yorke Townhomes by Truman Homes in Cornerstone. The development is planned for 87 townhomes and currently offers a starting price of $298,000, including tax. At press time, sales were at 20 per cent.

These floor plans range from 1,416 to 1,567 square feet and have a tandem or double car attached garage. All models are available in a three-bedroom or dual master bedroom orientation. However, the A and B floor plans allow for a fourth bedroom to be added to the lower level of the home. First possessions at the development are expected to be available in December.

A portion of the townhomes at Yorke are available through the Liberty Home Ownership Program. This allows buyers to purchase with a down payment of $1,500.

To do this, they would need to meet the program’s income criteria. Among the stipulations are that the maximum annual income for single or two-parent families with dependent children is $90,000. For singles or couples with no dependent children, the maximum income in $80,000.

Yorke now has full-sized examples of what it offers, with show homes for its B3 Corner and A1 floor plans. Bolante bought his place before they opened but says, “I saw the show homes a couple of weeks ago and I am impressed.”

His parents currently live with him, and starting next year, they’ll split time between his place and the Philippines. “I wanted it so there was enough space for me to have my own space plus my parents (to have their own space), as well,” says Bolante, who picked a townhome with dual master bedrooms.

Bolante bought the Corner D2 Unit, which has 1,376 square feet of interior space and 191 square feet to enjoy the outdoors, along with a tandem car garage. His liked that his main floor has a central kitchen with a dining area on one side and great room on the other, calling it “open and really spacious.”

One of the factors that drew him to Yorke was how little he needed to pay for extras. Considering the standard specifications, “I didn’t have to upgrade,” he says.

Area sales manager Dipali Damji says demand has been strong since the development opened. She also points to the value.“I think it’s affordability. With our price point, it includes everything. The fact that everything is included means that when people move in they don’t have to worry about having to actually add anything in themselves.”

Features include knock-down nine-foot ceilings on the main floor, custom lighting, and wide-plank engineered hardwood floors.

The great room in one of the show homes at Yorke Townhomes by Truman.Julie C.VincentSupplied /
Calgary Herald

They’re also equipped to save energy, including a high efficiency Goodman furnace with a drip humidifier, Electrostatic furnace cleaner, digital programmable thermostat, and 50-gallon energy saver electric hot water tank.

For Bolante, the location was another draw. Cornerstone by Walton Development and Management is in northeast Calgary, just east of the established community of SkyView Ranch, which is by the same developer. It sits just a short drive from Stoney Trail, which allows residents to reach other ends of the city with ease.

Within the community, the plan is extensive. A planned major activity centre will boast a combination of residential, commercial and retail opportunities, such as a future grocery store.

The site is also projected to be the next stop on the northeast leg of the LRT. It will include around 38 hectares (95 acres) of park and school space, and is slated for 14 kilometres of pathways and 72 hectares (180 acres) of natural wetlands, as well.

“I’m excited to be there,” Bolante says. “Everything I need in the future … will be there.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHAT: Yorke Townhomes. BUILDER: Truman Homes. DEVELOPER: Walton Development and Management.AREA: Cornerstone is a community in northeast Calgary.PRICES: Townhomes start from $298,000, including the tax.HOURS: The sales centre and show homes are open 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.INFORMATION:liveatyorke.com

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